Heart HealthScientists Find Hidden Liver Protein That Slashes Bad Cholesterol
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a protein called HELZ2 that acts as a master regulator of harmful cholesterol production in the liver. HELZ2 works by breaking down the genetic instructions needed to make apoB, the protein that forms cholesterol-carrying particles linked to clogged arteries and heart disease. When HELZ2 activity is high, fewer of these dangerous particles enter the bloodstream, reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Mice with elevated HELZ2 activity showed significantly less arterial plaque buildup. However, there is a trade-off: more fat accumulated in the liver. Published in Circulation, this discovery could eventually lead to entirely new drug targets for cardiovascular disease, operating through a mechanism distinct from existing cholesterol-lowering therapies like statins.
